Shloka 25
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
तद् भीममुत्सार्यजनं युद्धमासीदुपप्लवे । बलिनो: संयुगे राजन् वृत्रवासवयोरिव
tad bhīmam utsārya-janaṁ yuddham āsīd upaplave | balinoḥ saṁyuge rājan vṛtra-vāsavayor iva ||
तद् भीममुत्सार्य जनं युद्धमासीदुपप्लवे । बलिनोः संयुगे राजन् वृत्रवासवयोरिव ॥
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extreme martial aggression, even between renowned heroes, can endanger and displace ordinary people; it implicitly calls for restraint and responsible kingship so that power does not become terror for the public.
At Upaplava, a terrifying duel between two powerful warriors breaks out; the fight is compared to the legendary battle of Vṛtra and Indra, and the crowd is driven away, unable to remain near the violence.